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Environmental Economist

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What is an Environmental Economist?

Position Description Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

A Day in the Life of an Environmental Economist

  • Write social, legal, or economic impact statements to inform decision makers for natural resource policies, standards, or programs.
  • Demonstrate or promote the economic benefits of sound environmental regulations.
  • Develop environmental research project plans, including information on budgets, goals, deliverables, timelines, and resource requirements.
  • Perform complex, dynamic, and integrated mathematical modeling of ecological, environmental, or economic systems.
  • Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate economic and environmental study results, to present policy recommendations, or to raise awareness of environmental consequences.
  • Develop systems for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting environmental and economic data.

Skills Needed to be an Environmental Economist

When polled, Environmental Economists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Other Environmental Economist Job Titles

  • Environmental Economist
  • Principal Associate
  • Ecological Economist
  • Resource Economist
  • Senior Economist

Environmental Economist Employment Estimates

There were about 21,300 jobs for Environmental Economist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,300 new jobs for Environmental Economist by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,600 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Environmental Economist are Alabama, Louisiana, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, West Virginia, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does an Environmental Economist Make?

The average yearly salary of an Environmental Economist ranges between $58,130 and $182,560.

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Environmental Economists who work in District of Columbia, Virginia, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Environmental Economists in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $103,740
Alaska $85,970
Arizona $93,350
Arkansas $75,380
California $124,430
Colorado $104,350
Connecticut $95,450
Delaware $86,850
District of Columbia $134,260
Florida $105,230
Georgia $111,570
Hawaii $98,100
Idaho $61,130
Illinois $108,690
Indiana $84,740
Iowa $87,530
Kansas $72,600
Louisiana $103,070
Maryland $116,870
Massachusetts $117,680
Michigan $90,040
Minnesota $81,720
Mississippi $75,450
Missouri $112,240
Montana $89,980
Nebraska $81,010
Nevada $79,170
New Hampshire $74,570
New Jersey $100,500
New Mexico $87,680
New York $127,520
North Carolina $81,470
Ohio $125,490
Oklahoma $76,500
Oregon $87,420
Pennsylvania $87,630
South Carolina $68,550
Tennessee $83,350
Texas $106,480
Utah $88,280
Vermont $96,620
Virginia $126,080
Washington $95,010
West Virginia $68,430
Wisconsin $80,070

Tools & Technologies Used by Environmental Economists

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Environmental Economists:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • MySQL
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • SAS
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • Minitab
  • C
  • StataCorp Stata
  • Wolfram Research Mathematica
  • Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
  • Insightful S-PLUS
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • Aptech Systems GAUSS

Becoming an Environmental Economist

What education is needed to be an Environmental Economist?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where Environmental Economists Are Employed

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Environmental Economists work in the following industries:

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References:

Image Credit: Bernard Ladenthin via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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